Five TVPPA-member utilities have won Reliable Public Power Provider (RP3) recognition from the American Public Power Association (APPA).

Bristol, Tenn., ES; Columbus, Miss., L&W; Huntsville, Ala., Utilities and Ripley, Tenn., P&L were accorded Diamond status (98 percent to 100 percent of possible points, while Lenoir City, Tenn., UB earned a Gold designation (80-90 percent).

The RP3 awards were presented April 1, at APPA’s Engineering & Operations Technical Conference in Colorado Springs, Colo. The designation lasts for three years and recognizes public-power utilities that demonstrate proficiency in four key disciplines – reliability, safety, workforce development and system improvement. Criteria include sound business practices and a utility-wide commitment to safe, reliable delivery of electricity.

“Aside from demonstrating reliability, these designated utilities have shown commitment to system improvement, safety and developing a strong and sustainable workforce,” said Aaron Haderle, manager of Transmission/Distribution Operation at Kissimmee, Fla., UA and chairman of the RP3 Review Panel.

TVPPA Executive Vice President Danette Scudder, a former RP3 Review Panel member, added her congratulations.

“This is a great honor,” Scudder said. “Each TVPPA-member utility takes a great deal of pride in the work they do to power their communities. It’s quite something to be recognized as being among the best of the best at a national level.”